"During this time, I think we should decide what we ought to do."
Chelsea withdrew her gaze from the street. During this time, Night Raid had suffered a blow from Yorii Tsugikuni.
Everyone in Night Raid's morale had nearly fallen to rock bottom.
Seeing everyone frowning tightly, she felt somewhat worried.
"Whether she comes back or not, we'll figure something out when the time comes."
"As long as we're together, there'll always be a way."
Mine clutched Pumpkin and muttered irritably. Her mind was filled with Yorii Tsugikuni's punchable back.
"Mine's right."
"We'll definitely be able to defeat that old-fashioned bastard."
Leone took a drink. She had never forgotten their previous defeat, and she knew that although most of her companions had lost, they were just as unwilling to accept it as she was.
"The headquarters will naturally make a decision on this matter."
"Everyone, keep your spirits up. The Empire's darkness is still waiting for us to tear it apart. One day, we'll welcome a new homeland."
Nadjeshda extinguished the cigarette in her hand and extended her alloy arm.
"Keep it up!"
"Keep it up!"
"Keep it up!!"
Seeing Nadjeshda extend her right hand, everyone in Night Raid placed their hands atop it. Those who had been somewhat dejected quickly became resolute once more.
They longed for the day when they could see a new homeland emerge.
That was also why many people had joined the Revolutionary Army in the first place.
That guy really is a headache.
After encouraging everyone, Nadjeshda turned her gaze toward the Imperial Security Force.
After Yorii Tsugikuni became captain of the Security Force, she had already received reports from her informants.
From her previous encounters with Yorii Tsugikuni, although he did not bear much hatred toward them,
he would not simply leave them alone either.
What made them most uneasy was that Yorii Tsugikuni had met with Honest.
If Yorii Tsugikuni cooperated with Honest, it would undoubtedly be a tremendous blow to Night Raid.
Their greatest objective was to eliminate Honest, but if Yorii Tsugikuni joined Honest's side,
it would become extremely difficult for Night Raid to eliminate Honest, and the price would undoubtedly be more than they could bear.
Sayo's Crumbling Convictions, Chelsea Visits Again
Late at night.
On the silent street.
Sayo lowered her head and slowly walked forward. Her body was stained with blood.
In her hand was a bloodied rope, dripping with blood.
At the end of the rope was a man tied up so badly mutilated that he had completely stopped breathing.
Ieyasu and Tatsumi followed behind her.
Seeing Sayo remain silent, the two exchanged glances and shook their heads.
That afternoon, Sayo had been overjoyed by the good news coming from the border, but she had suddenly flown into a rage.
After tearing apart the information Sayo had sent over, she had rushed out of the Security Force with Korro.
Because Yorii Tsugikuni had been worried, he had sent the two of them after her. Later, on the streets, they discovered the serial decapitator they had been tracking.
After that, the decapitator named Zank naturally became the target of Sayo's emotional outburst.
After her frenzied assault, Zank was beaten to death by Sayo.
"You... came."
Dragging Zank's corpse toward the Security Force headquarters,
Sayo, who had been keeping her head lowered, suddenly saw a shadow appear on the ground before her.
Raising her head, Sayo saw Yorii Tsugikuni's familiar face. When she saw his gentle gaze, her expressionless face
instantly crumpled as tears poured down her cheeks.
She threw herself into Yorii Tsugikuni's arms.
Compared to Oka's death, seeing the master she had always respected commit so many heinous acts
dealt Sayo an even greater blow.
It completely tore apart her worldview, shaking many things she had always believed in.
She even began to wonder whether the things she was doing now had any meaning at all.
"It's all right. We're... here."
Sayo, her face covered in tears, clung tightly to him.
Yorii Tsugikuni's raised hands had nowhere to go, and an awkward expression appeared on his face.
It reminded him of when he had once encountered the child of the Kamado couple and had not known how to handle the crying infant.
After thinking for a long while, Yorii Tsugikuni gently patted Sayo's back and softly comforted her.
"Waaah... Aahhh, sob..."
Sayo cried loudly, almost heartbrokenly. Her former faith had completely shattered.
If revenge and spreading justice had previously supported her as she repeatedly pursued Night Raid alone, then at this moment, she was like a small boat lost in a vast ocean.
The lighthouse that had once guided her had gone out.
No one knew how long she cried before Sayo finally stopped.
"Sorry, I got your clothes wet."
After crying her heart out, Sayo's mood had clearly improved considerably.
Seeing the obvious tear stains on Yorii Tsugikuni's clothes beneath the moonlight, she apologized to him through sniffles.
Sayo considered herself a strong person, yet recently, she had cried more than once.
"It's fine. I'll take you home."
Tatsumi and Ieyasu had already taken Zank's corpse away when Yorii Tsugikuni arrived.
After following Sayo around all day, the two were utterly exhausted.
Yorii Tsugikuni calmly shook his head. It was already late, and seeing that Sayo was feeling somewhat better put him at ease.
Soon, Yorii Tsugikuni escorted Sayo back to her home.
Because Yorii Tsugikuni was not much of a talker, the two remained quiet the entire way.
After bidding each other farewell,
Yorii Tsugikuni took his Imperial Arm, Adai, and began heading back.
Compared to a few days ago, Adai seemed somewhat more lively.
"Can we talk?"
On the deserted street, a figure blocked Yorii Tsugikuni's path.
Yorii Tsugikuni raised his head and discovered that it was Chelsea, the Night Raid member he had met before.
"Mm."
Chelsea's appearance alone surprised Yorii Tsugikuni.
After all, he had fought Night Raid only a short while ago.
After thinking about it, and sensing no hostility from Chelsea, Yorii Tsugikuni gave a slight nod.
Chelsea led the way.
The two soon entered an alley and finally stopped on a bridge.
"These are some of the things Honest has done over the years."
"I came this time to convey the Revolutionary Army's goodwill toward you."
Chelsea handed Yorii Tsugikuni several organized documents.
After deliberation, the Revolutionary Army's higher-ups had decided to maintain a certain degree of friendly relations with Yorii Tsugikuni.
Against someone as powerful as Yorii Tsugikuni, they could not bear the cost of opposing him.
Even if they could not recruit him, they could not allow their relationship to become too strained.
When facing others, they still believed they had a chance of winning, but after fighting Yorii Tsugikuni,
they realized that the young man before them was simply too terrifying.
No one knew exactly how strong he was.
Furthermore, according to their intelligence, Yorii Tsugikuni also possessed an Imperial Arm.
An unknown little mechanical man.
"Convey goodwill?"
Yorii Tsugikuni accepted the documents Chelsea handed him. He could not quite understand why Night Raid was giving him these documents.
He had only met Honest once.
"Put simply, the Revolutionary Army's doors will always be open to you, Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni. If one day you come to see the Empire's darkness and corruption, we welcome you to join us."
Chelsea had interacted with Yorii Tsugikuni many times, more than most people in Night Raid.
Furthermore, she had never clashed with Yorii Tsugikuni.
That was why she had been sent to contact him.
Although Yorii Tsugikuni had told them last time that he was only staying temporarily,
no one knew how long the "temporary" stay he spoke of would be.
The war on the front lines had ended, and the pressure on the Revolutionary Army had suddenly increased considerably.
Therefore, no matter what, if they could eliminate the pressure Yorii Tsugikuni brought,
the situation they faced would undoubtedly improve greatly.
Of course, if Yorii Tsugikuni ultimately chose to join them, the Revolutionary Army's strength would increase tremendously.
Therefore, recruiting Yorii Tsugikuni into Night Raid was very necessary.
"Sorry."
Without saying much more, Yorii Tsugikuni shook his head.
He took Adai and began walking back.
Previously, Night Raid had sent Chelsea to contact him, and the letter informing him about some matters concerning Oka
had also been left by Night Raid.
Just as he had thought from the beginning, Yorii Tsugikuni did not wish to become involved with the Revolutionary Army.
He did not agree with the Revolutionary Army's ideals.
"No matter what... one day, I'll convince you."
Watching Yorii Tsugikuni leave, Chelsea felt somewhat defeated.
Still, Yorii Tsugikuni not attacking her was already the greatest success of her mission this time.
Before you continue